Technologies in Development Could Help Fight the Zika Virus

In recent months there has been an uptick of unusual suggestions and conspiracy theories regarding the spread of Zika and what to do about it. Dr. Daniel Olson, who specializes in infectious disease at Children’s Hospital Colorado and is Assistant Professor, Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases at the University of Colorado, says that people are coming to him with ideas "all the time." He continues, "You talk about treatments they read about on the web. Or they'll say, 'I heard this thing works. Can we try it?'"

Some of the suggestions? Genetically modified mosquitoes, various vaccines and even a shot of Vitamin C.

Why the increase in outsider recommendations to help fight Zika?

This surge of odd, unsolicited and unproven advice was the direct result of the statements made by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden.

Frieden spoke out about the virus’ expected trajectory during a conference in Miami last month saying that Zika would eventually become endemic throughout the continental U.S. He has since retracted that statement, clarifying that the virus is likely to become endemic only in the Caribbean and Latin America and the continental U.S. will see travel-related cases but that Zika would not become a “permanent risk” in the country.

What we can do

Even though some of the armchair critic suggestions are a bit out there, others, according to infectious disease experts, could develop into realistic answers down the road.

Read about other technologies in development that could help reduce the spread of Zika in the full article from USA Today.

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